Vol 41, No 1 (2022)

Drawing on a media-centric framing theory, and utilising qualitative framing analysis, we examine how selected mainstream newspapers in South Africa framed Sino- South Africa relationships. We observe the ubiquity of negative anti-Chinese frames in the South African mainstream media. We demonstrate that these largely negative frames on China clustered around key issues: its economic relationship with South Africa; human rights issues; and China’s political ties with African regimes. We argue that the negative frames were a result of newspapers’ sourcing routines. Furthermore, we argue that anti-Chinese frames in the South African media sync neatly with a growing negative public perception of China, sustained by global media especially in the West and the US.

This paper assesses Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) and brand contact integration in three areas that have received insufficient research attention. The study was conducted in a region that has received little research coverage (Ethiopia), a low involvement product sector (brewing) and from the theoretical perspective of the Nordic School. Following a series of in-depth
interviews and an inductive content analysis, we find that the brewer’s messaging is similar to the international norm, differing only in emphasis and application. Publicity and personal promotion are emphasised, product quality receives great attention, the company concentrates on a narrowly defined service interface, and a strong market-back strategy is evident in its communications. The Nordic School model of brand contact integration offers a heuristic prism for the assessment of communication integration, and we conclude that IMC principles are firmly embedded in the marketing communication practice of the Ethiopian brewer, but with characteristics that are specific to its unique market conditions.

Social networking sites are regarded as useful catalysts for enhancing organisational work productivity and creativity. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the spin-offs associated with these particular platforms have become even more evident. Consequently, this study sought to explore the added benefits of using social networking sites to improve the work productivity and creativity of selected urban tourism-related Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. The exploration of the research
questions of the study suggests a theoretical framework that consists of key elements of diffusion and adoption of technology. As a result, Roger’s Diffusion of Innovations Theory proved to be most applicable as it offers a relevant analytical framework for the dissemination and adoption of technology. The study adopted a qualitative approach by conducting interviews with a targeted
population of SME service providers in the context of Pretoria (Tshwane) in the Gauteng province. The sample consisted of 50 such service providers that were selected using purposive sampling. Sampled SMEs included: 20 "bed and breakfasts", 20 guest houses, and 10 tour operators. Interviews were then conducted with their relevant managers. The data were analysed using open coding, where dominant themes from the discussions were identified and discussed in detail. 

Research on how communication contributes directly to high levels of employee engagement within the workplace is still relatively under-prioritised in public relations and corporate communication literature. Although some evidence exists on the relationship between internal communication strategies and employee engagement outcomes, the accentuated value that can be
derived from internal communication practice is yet to be fully explored. The purpose of this study is to reposition and recognise the strategic nature of internal communication in maximising and cultivating high levels of employee engagement for organisational performance and success. The study explores the strategic importance of internal communication in accordance with a
management philosophy anchored on collaborative, open and transparent communication. By using semi-structured interviews with managers and focus group discussions with employees, the study found that organisational engagement emanating from a strong management philosophy as part of the internal communication strategy empowered employees to perform beyond prescriptive expectations. Also, employees viewed the management philosophy as an avenue for the attainment of organisational goals, enabled
through ‘one-on-one caring’ interviews with managers, which centered on the sensitivity of collaborative internal communication efforts. The efficacy level of internal communication was a key determinant of the organisation’s engagement efforts. More so, internal communication was also used to facilitate the dialogic exchange of information and often cultivated diverse opinions to improve operational efficiency through the attainment of strategic communal relationships.

Considering the recent corporate scandals faced by the South African capital market, stakeholders are understandably more sceptical about the accuracy and transparency of information being communicated to them. An integral stakeholder group which forms part of the success of an organisation is its investors. Since investors have increasing demands and specific information needs, it is essential that organisations communicate relevant and useful information by means of investor relations. However, despite its importance, academic research in the field of investor relations, specifically in terms of communication, is lacking and does not correlate with the importance of the function in corporate practice. The aim of this study was to critically evaluate the current IR practices of JSE listed organisations; to determine whether these aforementioned organisations participate in dialogic engagement with investors. This was done by investigating investor relations theory within the broader context of dialogic theory. The research design employed in this study was an interpretive multiple case study qualitative inquiry. The findings are the culmination and outcome of a synthesis of an in-depth literature review, a content analysis of communicative products- and semi-structured interviews with the investor relations officers of the case organisations.

Online knowledge-sharing (OKS) behaviour has become a critical and inevitable component in recognising knowledge as a valuable resource to enhance an organisation’s competitive advantage. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the organisational factors that determine OKS behaviour in an online environment within the context of savings and loans cooperative organisations (SACCOs) in Kenya. A comprehensive literature review revealed that limited studies have been conducted to investigate the role of organisational factors in OKS behaviour from a knowledge-based perspective. The study used quantitative and qualitative research to collect and analyse data in a case study by means of three data collection instruments: online self-administered questionnaires, a moderator’s guide and an interview schedule. The accessible population of the study comprised 485 employees in selected SACCOs in Nakuru city. A sample of 245 was selected for the survey and another sample of 72 employees who participated in the survey (eight from each SACCO) was selected to take part in the focus group discussions. In addition, eight senior managers took part in the in-depth interviews. An environment conducive to working and a friendly organisational culture were identified by employees as the key determinates of their OKS behaviour in the organisation. Hence, it is argued that it is critical for SACCOs to develop strategies capable of modifying the working environment and organisational culture to enhance employees’ OKS behaviour through online internal communication (OIC) tools.

The rapid advancement of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has heightened misuse of internet-based technologies by young people. Besides increased integration due to availability and access to mobile communication technologies, students today indulge in cyberbullying where they harass, insult and stalk each other. Scholars have researched extensively on cyberbullying in institutions of higher learning globally and how victims try to cope with the problem. However, there is a dearth of literature on the gendered perspective of cyberbullying in institutions of higher learning in Southern Africa. Using the Social Information Processing Theory, the study examined the phenomenon of cyberbullying at a rural university in South Africa. The key questions of the study were: How do male and female victims perceive cyberbullying? How do male and female victims react to cyberbullying? Does cyberbullying have the same effects on students of different gender? Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires targeted at male and female victims of cyberbullying at University of Venda. Findings revealed inconsistencies in how male and female victims perceived and reacted to cyberbullying.

Oral PrEP promotion is a key aspect of combination prevention efforts to increase opportunities for HIV prevention among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who are at higher risk of infection. Research suggests that communication efforts often adopt an individualistic decision-making approach that is devoid of the multiple influences that impact young women’s HIV preventative choices. Schools and educators are increasingly being identified as key role players and influencers of decision making among young women. The promotion of PrEP uptake among AGYW of school going age, thus requires an exploration of perceptions of educators about the related benefits and barriers to PrEP uptake among school girls. A qualitative study using a purposive sampling method was used to sample 6 high schools in Vulindlela, a district with the highest HIV incidents among AGYW in KwaZulu-Natal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of twelve Life Orientation educators and senior staff members from the 6 selected high schools. The data was transcribed and analysed thematically using the culture-centred approach. The findings suggested that educators acknowledged the benefits of PrEP in curbing HIV infection rates among young women. However, these benefits were clouded by barriers and concerns around minimal, or poor condom use as a result of oral PrEP use which could promote promiscuity and minimalise efficacy. These findings highlight the need for more contextual community-driven communication strategies around PrEP, and emphasise the value of a community-centred approach that promotes dialogue among key role players, like educators, to further enhance PrEP communication.